Jericho

Definition

Jericho is an ancient city located in the West Bank region of the Middle East, known for its significant role in the development of early agriculture and horticulture. As one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Jericho has been a crucial site for understanding the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to more settled, agricultural communities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Jericho is one of the earliest known examples of a settled, agricultural community, with evidence of continuous human habitation dating back to around 9,000 BCE.
2. The city's location in the Jordan Valley, with its fertile soil and access to water, made it an ideal site for early agricultural experimentation and the cultivation of a variety of plant species.
3. Excavations at Jericho have revealed the remains of some of the earliest known domesticated plants, including wheat, barley, and legumes, as well as evidence of the cultivation of date palms and other fruit-bearing trees.
4. The development of sophisticated irrigation systems and the construction of large, fortified walls around the city suggest a high level of agricultural and horticultural expertise among the inhabitants of Jericho.
5. The transition to a more settled, agricultural lifestyle at Jericho is believed to have been a key driver of the Neolithic Revolution, which ultimately led to the emergence of the first urban centers and civilizations in the region.

Review Questions

• Describe the significance of Jericho in the context of the development of early agriculture and horticulture.
  • Jericho is considered one of the earliest examples of a settled, agricultural community, with evidence of continuous human habitation dating back to around 9,000 BCE. The city's location in the fertile Jordan Valley, along with its sophisticated irrigation systems and the cultivation of a variety of domesticated plants, including wheat, barley, and date palms, suggest that Jericho played a crucial role in the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to more settled, agricultural-based communities. This transition, known as the Neolithic Revolution, was a pivotal moment in human history, leading to the emergence of the first urban centers and civilizations in the region.
• Analyze the role of Jericho's geographic location and environmental factors in the development of its early agricultural and horticultural practices.
  • Jericho's strategic location in the Jordan Valley, with its fertile soil and access to water, was a key factor in its development as an early agricultural and horticultural center. The city's inhabitants were able to experiment with the cultivation of a variety of plant species, including wheat, barley, legumes, and date palms, taking advantage of the region's favorable environmental conditions. The construction of sophisticated irrigation systems further demonstrates the advanced agricultural expertise of the Jericho's inhabitants, allowing them to sustain a settled, agricultural lifestyle in an otherwise arid region. These factors, combined with the city's fortified walls, suggest that Jericho was a thriving, prosperous community that played a crucial role in the Neolithic Revolution and the emergence of the first urban centers in the Middle East.
• Evaluate the broader significance of Jericho's role in the development of early agriculture and horticulture, and its impact on the transition to more settled, agricultural-based societies.
  • The significance of Jericho's role in the development of early agriculture and horticulture cannot be overstated. As one of the earliest known examples of a settled, agricultural community, Jericho's excavations have provided invaluable insights into the Neolithic Revolution, a pivotal moment in human history when nomadic hunter-gatherer societies transitioned to more settled, agricultural-based communities. The city's cultivation of a diverse array of domesticated plants, its sophisticated irrigation systems, and its fortified walls all point to a high level of agricultural and horticultural expertise among its inhabitants. Moreover, the lessons learned from Jericho's success in sustaining a settled, agricultural lifestyle in the Jordan Valley likely served as a model for the development of other early urban centers and civilizations in the region, ultimately shaping the course of human history and the way we interact with the natural world.

Related terms

Neolithic Revolution:

The Neolithic Revolution was a pivotal period in human history when nomadic hunter-gatherer societies transitioned to more settled, agricultural-based communities, leading to the development of the first cities and civilizations.

Horticulture:

Horticulture is the science and art of cultivating and managing gardens, orchards, and other small-scale agricultural systems, often focused on the production of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other specialty crops.

Domestication:

Domestication is the process by which wild plants and animals are genetically and behaviorally adapted to live in close association with and be of benefit to humans, leading to the development of cultivated crops and domesticated livestock.